Plymouth City Council recently introduced all day parking restrictions to a number of streets adjacent to Devonport Park in an attempt to tackle parking issues caused by commuter traffic from the nearby dockyard. Unfortunately, this has meant that visitors to the park's Soapbox Children's Theatre, many of whom have small children or babies, struggle to find parking nearby. This has resulted in a serious decline in audience numbers during weekday performance. The council now propose to extend these restrictions to other residential streets in the area, leaving the future of the children's theatre uncertain.
We, the undersigned, call on Plymouth City Council to:
1. Amend the proposed parking restrictions* on Exmouth Road from Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm to Monday to Friday 8am - 10am or maximun 2 hour parking for non-permit holders.
2. Amend existing parking restrictions in Milne Place from Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm to Monday to Friday 8am - 10am or maximun 2 hour parking for non-permit holders.
3. Make provision for a blue badge parking bay on Exmouth Road beside the entrance to the park at the junction of Exmouth Road and Milne Place.
(*Amd.20192137216 Zone IIA extension)
A bit about The Soapbox...
The Soapbox is a small, independent theatre that relies largely ticket sales for its continued exsistance. Just over 30% of the theatre's paying visitors come from outside of Plymouth, from as far away as Exeter and St Austell. The income from these ticket sales help subsidise cultural opportunities at the theatre for some of the most marginalised children from the local area. It is the only theatre in the southwest peninsula to specialise in creating professional theatre for children aged 6 months to 15 years. It has won many awards including the Abercrombie People's Award. The theatre has recently undergone extensive refurbishment to make the theatre accessible for all. This was thanks to money raised from public donations, Plymouth City Council's City Change Fund and the Social Enterprise Investment Fund.
Please give them your support!
Thank you
Atualização #14 anos atrás
Hello!
Thank's for supporting our campaign to limit parking restrictions near The Soapbox and Devonport Park. In just 3 days the petition now has 700 signatures!!! We've written to the local councillors and will be contacting the council leader, Tudor Evans, to ask for assurances that the park and theatre will remain accessible to all. We'll keep you posted with any developments and let's hope common sense prevails.
Best wishes
Iain & Jacquline
Executive Directors, The Soapbox Theatre
